The Perpetual Motorcycle Thread 2

Nice! I do love old snowmobiles and I'm not opposed to the new ones, either. They just have never gotten me as excited as motorcycles. And I have yet to find a snowmobile trail that I can't ride on a motorcycle. It's more of a challenge, but I can do it...

I know we've talked here before about DIY maintenance vs. dealership maintenance, and I definitely come down on the side of "DIY", but I've decided that I'm never going to change my own brake fluid ever again, if I can help it.

I don't know how the Galfer guys make it look so easy on Youtube. Brake fluid has a way of getting absolutely fucking everywhere... I have a Mityvac thing which is supposed to make it easy, until fluid gets sucked into the vacuum itself and starts splattering out of the vent hole when you pump it... And when the seal on the transparent hoses isn't tight, or the hoses are too short, and don't stay on the pump fittings or the caliper nipples... And whoever designed the metal-box-with-screw-cap brake fluid reservoir... WTF were they thinking? Lo and behold, brake fluid DOES eat paint, because now I have a little spot of paint missing on the lip of the reservoir from overflow/mess while refilling. It's not a big deal but on a new-to-me bike it pisses me off.

It's just not worth it. No matter how clean and careful I try to be, the ordeal always goes pear-shaped, and I end up with fluid on the garage floor, and myself, and sometimes the bike. Next time I'm going to the dealership with new bottles of brake fluid and just asking them to do it. Yech.

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Also, does somebody here have a Triumph Tiger 1050? I can't recall exactly which of you does. I ordered a Cox Racing radiator guard for the Street Triple, and the first place I ordered from sent me the wrong one, it was labeled for the STR but it didn't fit. I'm about 99% sure it's for the Tiger 1050. Dunno if anybody would be interested in a sale or trade, otherwise I'll just put it up on the Triumph forums for $70.

I know we've talked here before about DIY maintenance vs. dealership maintenance, and I definitely come down on the side of "DIY", but I've decided that I'm never going to change my own brake fluid ever again, if I can help it.

Hm. I do brake fluid less often than I should, and it's not that bad. How did you try to do it?

Does your MityVac have the fluid catch can? If you're using that, it's really hard to get brake fluid into the pump unless you let it get way too full. I don't generally let it get more than halfway full before dumping it.

I typically suck fluid through for about two system's worth of fluid (if it's old and dirty, you can see it clear up, or you can get different colored fluids), then finish with a pressure bleed at the top banjo bolt and the caliper bleeder to make sure I've got any air out (I'm not entirely convinced that sucking through leads to an air free system).

I won't argue that it's a mess, but if you cram paper towel everywhere, it's not that bad. I go through the better part of a roll if I'm doing the brakes on all 3 bikes. Just shove it all the places fluid might leak, and it does a wonderful job absorbing it.

If the hoses aren't fitting right, run the ends through a lighter flame briefly. It warms them up and you can mold them to what you need. Also, while I haven't picked them up, I know people swear by speed bleeders.

The Blue Rider wrote:

It's just not worth it. No matter how clean and careful I try to be, the ordeal always goes pear-shaped, and I end up with fluid on the garage floor, and myself, and sometimes the bike. Next time I'm going to the dealership with new bottles of brake fluid and just asking them to do it. Yech.

I predict you'll do this once, see the bill, then do it yourself from then on.

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After a few weeks, I still love the new clutch setup on the XB9. It's lighter than the Blast now (though has a longer throw - the Blast has a very short clutch throw). It went from "rather insanely heavy" to "Wow, this is properly light!" with no loss in functionality/no slipping/etc. That Mueller thing is, near as anyone can tell, magic. It shouldn't be able to reduce the lever effort so significantly while not extending the throw, but it does. You can get cheap little addons that just extend the lever arm, and they do extend the throw, but the Mueller unit replaces the whole actuator, and reduces clutch effort massively (they claim 40%) while not seeming to have any other downsides. I think it might just be a case of the stock design really being that bad...

In any case, I would totally suggest it for anyone with a Harley primary who isn't happy with the clutch pull. Which I think is pretty much just me in the thread...

In Albuquerque, I *regularly* had the stop light cameras (also speed cameras) flash at me when going through on a green if I was clear of other vehicles.

I wasn't speeding, and I never got a ticket mailed to me from them.

I suspect that certain front wheel designs reflect a good bit of radar back to the radar gun, and the top of the tire going ~2x the actual road speed means that the top of the wheel will be going 1.7x road speed or so. I know on the 1125R, I have hollow front spokes that would be a perfect radar reflector, and the rest of the bike doesn't reflect radar for shit (based on how close I have to be to speed signs before they pick me up reliably).

My guess is that the officer got a flicker of 55 mixed in with other speeds, but nothing reliable (so nothing locked), and used that as justification to pull the bike over because it was a motorcycle and of COURSE it was speeding.

... seriously, what's the deal with Deal's Gap at this point? There are SO many better places to ride that don't have millions of people & cops. I point to southern Colorado & northern New Mexico as examples.

IIRC, 90-degree angles are the most reflective. The fat spokes on motorcycle wheels tend to have basically a triple-90-degree angle where the spoke meets the wheel. I like your theory.

Yup. And the hollow spokes are a "open sided box" which is basically a direct reflector for RF.

Sadly, I don't have access to a lot of high end radar equipment to check traces from, but... eh, it seems to fit observed facts, and it explains a lot. Also in that many motorcycles have a very small radar cross section, so a "full reflector" may be a significant percentage of the response, and I'd expect radar guns to take the fastest signal of the returns if they get a bunch.

Also, does somebody here have a Triumph Tiger 1050? I can't recall exactly which of you does. I ordered a Cox Racing radiator guard for the Street Triple, and the first place I ordered from sent me the wrong one, it was labeled for the STR but it didn't fit. I'm about 99% sure it's for the Tiger 1050. Dunno if anybody would be interested in a sale or trade, otherwise I'll just put it up on the Triumph forums for $70.

I wasn't planning on taking us there, actually. It's all the way on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (A zoo all by itself. Jehos: Stay away from Gatlinburg if you dislike riding through theme parks.) from Asheville, which is already starting to go a good deal out of our way. And I just don't have much interest. Like you said, there are tons of great roads around. I don't think we're going to be pining for even twistier roads by the time we get down there.

OK maybe I was too hasty with the brake fluid hate. I posted all that right after coming inside from a very messy experience. I re-bled the rear brake last night with just some new 5/16" tubing from the hardware store, and I followed instructions in the manual - no Mityvac, just a tube from the nipple into a drainage container - and everything went well. So, simple setup seems to be the best way.

What do I look like, a KLR owner? The only way chicken wire is going to get on my bike is if I die crashing into a farm...

I ordered a second one direct from Cox Racing, and whaddyaknow, direct from the factory they send you the correct one. So, I'm good, but now I have an extra. I think it's for the 1050 because it had Tiger 1050 instructions with it, but a Street Triple label. Go figure.

My downstairs smells of what my downstairs should properly smell of. Hot Buell cooling off. A mix of gasoline vapor, a twinge of exhaust, and a hint of crankcase oil through the PCV vent, all blended into one unique, comfortable smell.

I took the 1125R down to Tacoma & had light enough traffic coming back to get things nice and warm the proper way, not the "sitting in traffic" way. After last night, I wanted to get at least some highway miles on it - it was pretty much begging the whole ride to dinner last night, "Come ON! GO! I don't CARE there are other bikes following, PASS THAT TRUCK AND OMFG GO I HAVE POWER SEE NO YOU DON'T SEE BECAUSE YOU WON'T OPEN THE THROTTLE GO GO GO!"

Power is nice. When you can use it. :-/

Also, I've lost basically all cornering ability on the 1125R. I can't hold a line for shit through a clear onramp anymore. Idling along in traffic and making 90 degree corners just isn't the same. Hopefully the bikes will have fewer issues this summer & be a bit more agreeable to actually getting out somewhere with less traffic and more sweepers.

The Blue Rider wrote:

OK maybe I was too hasty with the brake fluid hate. I posted all that right after coming inside from a very messy experience. I re-bled the rear brake last night with just some new 5/16" tubing from the hardware store, and I followed instructions in the manual - no Mityvac, just a tube from the nipple into a drainage container - and everything went well. So, simple setup seems to be the best way.

What were you doing with the MityVac to make such a tremendous mess? I'm genuinely curious, because the only way you should have brake fluid squirting out the vent hole is if you've either not put the catch can inline, have put said catch can on backwards, or have filled the catch can up fully.

The Blue Rider wrote:

What do I look like, a KLR owner? The only way chicken wire is going to get on my bike is if I die crashing into a farm...

Well, the 250 is now up for sale on Two Wheeled Texans. I'm going to try various groups that I know, before daring the wilds of Craig's List. I hope somebody's girlfriend needs a nice, friendly little blue bike with some fancy extras.

It's so much nicer even just to *work* on a higher-tier bike, never mind ride one. The design of everything is actually simpler and cleaner, since there isn't as much compromise for cost. And I really appreciate not needing four different tools to take fairings off, because there aren't any fucking fairings! Hahaha!

New Vesrah brake pads went on the rear tonight, and all I have left is to install the FIAMM horn, do the brake pads on the front, install new headlight bulbs when they come in, and fit up the Kriega US-20 bag I've bought, and I'll be done farkling the STR for now. I might want to get some new tires too. The Dunlops on there are dated summer of 2008 and they feel pretty stony to the touch. I think it might be prudent to replace them.

All that's possible after choosing a side bag solution (Bags Connection Blaze system, or maybe Givi standoff racks for soft panniers) would be high-dollar frivolous blingy stuff like an Ohlins shock, Matris adjustable fork cartridges, or Arrow exhaust. I can do without all that, though. The bike feels fine to ride without any of that stuff. I am not in a position to do any more Stupid Money Tricks anyway.

Syonyk wrote:

What were you doing with the MityVac to make such a tremendous mess? I'm genuinely curious, because the only way you should have brake fluid squirting out the vent hole is if you've either not put the catch can inline, have put said catch can on backwards, or have filled the catch can up fully.

Basically too few capable hands for the job; I need to work the bleed nipple and the pump and make sure the tube was anchored at the same time (it was slippy), and I'm almost entirely left-handed when doing anything mechanical (right side is really awkward using anything except a socket wrench with a breaker bar). I think the tubing on the vacuum was too short also, so the pump/cup thing was in danger of falling and hanging from the caliper if I didn't keep it braced against my knee. I likely let it hang past vertical without noticing while I was trying to play Shiva with the small wrench and the brake lever using my left hand, and didn't notice for a while until later when my hand was slipping on the pump handle from the fluid coming out of the vent. Just trying to do too much at once without thinking it through.

With long, plain 5/16 tubing it was much easier; it's a tighter fit on the bleeder and no pump to work with the left, just open the screw and work the brake while keeping the reservoir topped off... When in doubt, follow instructions.

They have a 2013 model called the FX, which they label as a "stealthfighter". It's a street-legal electric motocross bike.

Let me let that sink in--it's a bike you can ride on the road that will get as hooligan as you want (70ft-lb torque and 44hp) SILENTLY.

How damn cool is that? You can hooligan it up at midnight without waking the neighbors.

I was thinking about this and I'm wondering what it would be like to try to wheelie this thing. No clutch. No gears. Previous Zeros come with really toned-down throttle response, but they boast that this is their fastest-accelerating model yet, and there's always the possibility of reprogramming. Still, I wonder if you'd really be able to ever make up for the lack of a gearbox and clutch.

They have a 2013 model called the FX, which they label as a "stealthfighter". It's a street-legal electric motocross bike.

Let me let that sink in--it's a bike you can ride on the road that will get as hooligan as you want (70ft-lb torque and 44hp) SILENTLY.

How damn cool is that? You can hooligan it up at midnight without waking the neighbors.

I was thinking about this and I'm wondering what it would be like to try to wheelie this thing. No clutch. No gears. Previous Zeros come with really toned-down throttle response, but they boast that this is their fastest-accelerating model yet, and there's always the possibility of reprogramming. Still, I wonder if you'd really be able to ever make up for the lack of a gearbox and clutch.

Considering that the product video shows a guy doing wheelies and stoppies, I imagine it's possible.

Also the new Zeros have bluetooth and phone apps. I think you can screw with the throttle response on your own.

Also the new Zeros have bluetooth and phone apps. I think you can screw with the throttle response on your own.

I read that and was pretty impressed. Imagine if other traditional bike companies did that and effectively allowed the end user to modify maps without having to buy a Power Commander or Juice Box. It's kind of like how Triumph's ECU is open and you can just buy a cable and use free software to alter your maps. But only wirelessly. That would be so awesome.

Basically too few ... hands for the job; I need to work the ... nipple and ... pump ... the tube ... at the same time (it was slippy), and I'm almost entirely left-handed when doing anything...

Uh, not that I need a 250, but how much are you asking for it?

shannim wrote:

I read that and was pretty impressed. Imagine if other traditional bike companies did that and effectively allowed the end user to modify maps without having to buy a Power Commander or Juice Box. It's kind of like how Triumph's ECU is open and you can just buy a cable and use free software to alter your maps. But only wirelessly. That would be so awesome.

Emissions laws. It's not illegal to tamper with an electric vehicle, but screwing with the fuel delivery is somewhere between "frowned on" and "explicitly illegal" in most states. It's ignored for the most part with motorcycles, but that doesn't make it legit.

I read that and was pretty impressed. Imagine if other traditional bike companies did that and effectively allowed the end user to modify maps without having to buy a Power Commander or Juice Box. It's kind of like how Triumph's ECU is open and you can just buy a cable and use free software to alter your maps. But only wirelessly. That would be so awesome.

Emissions laws. It's not illegal to tamper with an electric vehicle, but screwing with the fuel delivery is somewhere between "frowned on" and "explicitly illegal" in most states. It's ignored for the most part with motorcycles, but that doesn't make it legit.

Then how do after market companies stay in business? Lots of companies sell after market exhausts, which can affect emissions. Many of those companies also make ECU tuning devices for their exhausts (like Two Brothers) that allow the end user to make fuel map adjustments.

I read that and was pretty impressed. Imagine if other traditional bike companies did that and effectively allowed the end user to modify maps without having to buy a Power Commander or Juice Box. It's kind of like how Triumph's ECU is open and you can just buy a cable and use free software to alter your maps. But only wirelessly. That would be so awesome.

Emissions laws. It's not illegal to tamper with an electric vehicle, but screwing with the fuel delivery is somewhere between "frowned on" and "explicitly illegal" in most states. It's ignored for the most part with motorcycles, but that doesn't make it legit.

Then how do after market companies stay in business? Lots of companies sell after market exhausts, which can affect emissions. Many of those companies also make ECU tuning devices for their exhausts (like Two Brothers) that allow the end user to make fuel map adjustments.

And every single one of those products has a disclaimer somewhere saying "for off road use only".

It's legal to modify a track bike, it's not necessarily legal to run track mods on the street in your state. But, enforcement is rare outside California.

So then why couldn't traditional motorcycle companies just include Bluetooth and an iOS or Android app. Just put an EULA agreement or disclaimer in there when you first activate the app. Then another when when you hit "apply" to your new map. There, hands clean.

So then why couldn't traditional motorcycle companies just include Bluetooth and an iOS or Android app. Just put an EULA agreement or disclaimer in there when you first activate the app. Then another when when you hit "apply" to your new map. There, hands clean.

Because most don't let you mod the ECU at all. Instead they sell like $500 race ECUs for their sport bikes.

I'm pretty sure you can do wireless on a Triumph if you installed a bluetooth OBD-II interface.

Anybody here with a gopro hero... How have you mounted it to your helmet? I'm playing around with camera angles for the Tybee trip. I really would like to have various camera angles and edit it into one longer video.